Frank Vance

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Frankie Wayne (Frank) Vance, age 70, of Joplin, Missouri, passed from this life on February 14, 2016 at his home after a three year battle with cancer. Frank was born on September 1, 1945 at the family home in Granby, Missouri, the youngest of four children born to Loyd Jess Vance and Winona Eldina (Purbaugh) Vance. Frank graduated from Diamond High School in 1963 after spending his High School nights and weekends cruising local streets and town squares with his best friend looking for someone to race. Frank’s passion in his younger days was fast cars, motorcycles, or anything he could make go faster. He was a gifted mechanic and spent countless hours on garage floors and under the hood of a car. Frank also loved sales, and after being told at a young age that he would never make a good salesman, devoted the rest of his life striving to outsell everyone else. He carried that passion his entire life. He pursued many ventures in his life but always remained a salesman at heart and was never happier than when immersed in a deal.

Frank enjoyed many successes in life and a few epic failures. The fails were usually preceded by
“uh oh” and punctuated with a crash and a hospital stay. He dearly loved his family, his Elder Road farm, John Deere Tractors, cows, and his pets, all stray rescues. He spent countless hours in the fields with his dogs in the farm truck, or tagging along on a walk. He will be sorely missed by his dog Lennie. Frank’s goal in life was to leave everything he encountered better than when he found it. He will be deeply missed by those with whom he shared his life.

Frank married Vivian Cox on September 1, 1978 and shared with her his three children, Shawn, Greg, and Kelli. Vivian survives of the home. Additional survivors include a son, Shawn Vance and wife Jo Lynn, Neosho, Mo., one daughter, Kelli Vance, Springfield, Mo., one brother, James Vance, Neosho, Mo., two sisters, Patricia Jones and husband William, Neosho, Mo., and Joyce Smith and husband Gerald, rural Diamond, Mo., six grandchildren and six great grandchildren, four nieces, three nephews, and many first cousins with whom he remained close all through their adult lives. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, and son Gregory Vance.



Frank has been taken for cremation. A celebration of Frank’s life will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Mason-Woodard Chapel in Joplin with Mike Whorlow, Minister, officiating. Visitation will follow the service. Memorial contributions are requested to the Faithful Friends Animal Shelter, or the Diamond Christian Church in care of the Mortuary. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory of Joplin, Mo.